'57 Olds, Fiesta wagon: Frame swap

[chopperimpala]

I would like to have a later front suspension and power steering with disc brakes on my wagon, and instead of sub-framing it I thought I would replace the whole stock frame with one from a '73 Chevy, Caprice. The diminsions are VERY close, over all on length and width. If I cut along the firewall I could also use the booster and factory A/C from the caprice too. ANY ideas or concerns that any of you have, or has someone alredy swapped another model frame on one of these?? thanks, Ken

[rocketraider]

Hmmm- guys here are probably gonna be more into restoration, but if the wheelbase and critical frame dimensions are close, you should be able to fab body mounts and make this work. Next ? is do you plan to keep the 371 and HydraMatic, because fitting those to a later frame may get tricky. Transplanting the whole chassis and drivetrain would be the overall simplest way, but I hate to see a Fiesta wagon go thru that. You also need to consider that a 73 Caprice is coil spring at the back and the Fiesta is leaf.

Anyhoo- 57 Olds have ball joint front ends, so rebuilding it and setting it up for handling (it CAN be done by someone who understands FEA) might be simpler than a frame swap. I'm pretty sure you can get a disc brake kit for it too; if not contact Mike Pemberton in NV, he's on this board every so often. He can modify your factory spindles to use later off-the-shelf GM disc brake components, and Scarebird.com makes rear disc brake kits for your 57 rear end.

Not sure how you'd handle installing a modern PB booster. You'd have to move the heating duct from the driver's side. Airconditioning is a simple matter with a Vintage Air kit or something similar. It can be completely hidden behind the dash, but you'd have to fab a compressor mounting bracket unless you found a 60s 394 car with an aftermarket A/C system to rogue it from.

[chopperimpala]

Thanks for the TIPS!! I kinda figured the "resto" approach was predominate around here, but I am having such a hard time finding parts I figured this would be easier?!?!?! The wagon has NO engine or tranny right now, so I figured I'd use the caprices??? I guess I'll do a little more thinking about it, It probably is a better restoration candidate, than a semi modern "fix-up"!! Thanks again,...KEN

[Guest drobertson]

OK, here goes, and take notes!

STEERING: You can easily update the steering using a later steering box. I prefer a mid '60s thru 76 GM Muscle car box. They have fewer turns stop-to-stop. They'll bolt right on and you use the '57 pitman arm...just reverse it for rear steer. If you want a more modern upgrade, you can use a late model Caddy rack&pinion from a full size car. They're rear steer. Take the column too. Even if you don't use it, it'll help with the converion.

BRAKES: There are several ways to upgrade the front brakes. The simplest is to get the front spindles from a '70s thru '88 full size GM. I found they drop right onto the '57 Olds balljoints. I parted out an '81 98 and used those spindles. You can either swap them left to right, which will give you the correct steering but will place the caliper forward of the spindle, or you can unbolt the steering arm at the back of hte spindle and reverse them. If you want a more radical look, you can get a set of dropped spindles for a '58 Chevy. I bought a 2" dropped set which already have the mounts for 11" dics breaks and roller bearings from a later car. You will need to take these to a machine shop to have the bore opened up to fit the Olds balljoints. Evidently, Chevy used pencils for their balljoints.

REAREND: The stock Fiesta came with a 3.42 rear gear, not too compatible with high spped driving or ecomonmy. There's a guy in NJ who carries several different rear end gear sets as well as Ken Klazura in Milwaukee. You've already heard there's a kit to upgrade the rear brakes.

DRIVESHAFT: You won't need to change the driveshaft, but you can go to a one peice from a '54-56 Olds 88 series. Check for clearance.

ENGINE: Since you don't have an engine, you can do a lot of things. The original 371 is available and has plenty of power. If you want to upgrade, one of my favorites is a 403/200R4 combo. Very strong and effecient...and it's an Oldsmobile! Another option, though more costly but more modern, is a Northstar/700R4. You'll need to notch the front crossmember for the oil pan but it's an extremely potent and super cool looking swap. And it's still an Oldsmobile! Olds developed the Aurora/Northstar engine for GM. The last option I've used is the '93/95 TPI GM LT-1 w/EOD trans. Now, although this is a Chevy engine, I bought Newstalgia Oldsmobile Rocket valve covers to make it look a little more like an olds and then a major top cover to hide the rest.

I have four Fiestas, three 57s and a '58. The '57 88 is being converted into a phantom custom with many of the upgrade listed here. If you need more information, call 414-475-1339

Dave Robertson

[rocketraider]

One of the coolest things about this board, when people who have done things and learned the tricks, come on and share it. I'd have never guessed 1981 spindles would have adapted that easy to a 50s car. Giving me ever more ideas for the blue Starfire...

Dave, how much electronics do you have to adapt to use the Northstar?